2027 Volvo EX60 P6 Review

The 2027 Volvo EX60 will arrive in Australia in late 2026 – November to December is the current window – with a starting price of $86,990. That’s for the rear-wheel drive P6. The dual-motor P10 AWD ups the ante to $101,990. Both prices exclude on-road costs.

A flagship P12 AWD is also confirmed but pricing is yet to be announced; expect it to land in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of next year – think March.

Interestingly, Volvo is also expected to introduce a cheaper entry-level EX60 variant later next year – possibly badged the P4 – that could slip under the $75,000 Electric Car Discount threshold, which will be in place by the time it arrives roughly mid-way through 2027. Watch this space.

Compared with the outgoing XC60 hybrid range, which runs from $74,990 to $101,990, the EX60 carries roughly a $10,000 premium at comparable grades. Volvo’s argument? The EX60 is a significantly more advanced machine in every measurable respect.

Three specification levels – Core, Plus and Ultra – are offered globally, though the Australian grade breakdown appears to be Ultra from launch; the burger with the lot.

Equipment levels are largely identical across the Aussie-bound launch models, so the extra cash splash on the P10 basically buys more grunt, more range, black Nappa leather seat upholstery and adaptive dampers. The P6 gets Nordico seats, which is synthetic or vegan leather, and passive frequency selective dampers.

So apart from that, all Aussie-delivered Volvo EX60s ride on 21-inch alloy wheels shod with high-end Michelin eco tyres and will be offered in eight colours, all of which are complimentary: Onyx Black, Crystal White, Denim Blue, Vapour Grey, Sand Dune (beige), Aurora Silver, Forest Lake (green) and the rather spiffy Heather Bronze.

Step inside the EX60 and you’ll find a 15-inch curved OLED touchscreen that flips the script to a landscape layout, packed with Google Gemini AI for natural voice commands.

By the time the EX60 arrives in Australia, Apple Carplay and Android auto will be native but even using the Google OS in the launch vehicles was super intuitive. Navigation, climate and media are all grouped close to the driver per Volvo’s user-centred UX approach. Wireless phone charging, four USB-C ports and 5G internet access is also included.

Perched high on the dash is an 11.4-inch digital instrument cluster – a prominent setup that replaces the need for a traditional head-up display, insists Volvo. In reality it doesn’t, but more on that later.

Both the P6 and P10 trims in Australia treat passengers to a premium 28-speaker Bowers & Wilkins HiFi system. It can beam audio exclusively to any of the four headrests, letting you enjoy a podcast without subjecting the whole cabin to it. Impressive stuff.

The comfort bits wrap up with an efficient heatpump-driven three-zone climate system (complete with air filtering) sitting beneath a massive, auto-dimming electrochromatic glass roof. You also get heated mirrors, heated seats front and rear, and power-adjustable, ventilated front seats.

There’s heaps of room inside the Volvo EX60 and a good sized 523-litre boot and a 58-litre frunk.

Volvo takes safety pretty darn seriously and as such has introduced a world-first multi-adaptive front safety belt system. The car’s core computer and sensor array analyse crash speed, direction and occupant size to apply the optimal restraining force in real time, using cameras inside and out.

Pilot Assist, lane-keeping aid, blind-spot monitoring, intersection auto-brake, rear cross-traffic alert with autobrake, Park Pilot Assist, emergency stop assist with safety call and many more systems besides are included.

In terms of powertrains, the EX60 range is built around 800-volt architecture, which means rapid DC fast charging rates of between 320kW and 400kW. Translation? Super-rapid charging times, as quick as 10-80 per cent in 16 minutes.

The 800V system also uses an integrated DC/DC booster for compatibility with 400V chargers. A 22kW onboard AC charger is standard across the range.

The P6 gets a single rear motor (275kW/480Nm) that delivers more than enough oomph for a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.9 seconds. It has an 83kWh lithium-ion NMC battery and up to 611km WLTP range.

Next up is the P10 AWD with dual e-motors (375kW/710Nm) that feels seriously muscular when you nail the go pedal, rocketing from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. It has a larger 95kWh battery, also NMC, and will cover up to 660km of WLTP range.

The P12 AWD also gets dual e-motors but has even more power (500kW/790Nm) and is even quicker, ripping from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds. It’s enlarged 117kWh battery pack is good for up to 810km WLTP range.

The warranty is expected to be the same as other Volvo EVs, with five years/unlimited kilometre coverage for the vehicle and eight years/160,000km for the big battery. Service pricing will be announced closer to its local arrival.

There’s a lot to like about the new 2027 Volvo EX60 and it very much feels like a step-change for the brand – something entirely new and surprisingly engaging.

The steering is the first thing that hits you. This is not the soft-handed, safety-first Volvo of old. The EX60’s steering wheel is smaller than expected (flat-top, flat-bottom – a bit weird at first) and the rack behind it is astonishingly direct.

It feels like fewer than two turns lock-to-lock which means the nose responds with a confidence and precision that feels more Macan than XC60. Even the base P6, with its passive suspension, feels like a performance model.

The ultra-direct steering works well around town too, making tight turns easier. Simply put, the unexpectedly sharp steering makes the car feel agile and light on its feet, effectively shrinking the 4.8-metre SUV around the driver. The turning circle is surprisingly tight too.

Ride comfort and quietness is likewise remarkably good, even on massive (optional) 22-inch alloy wheels with passive suspension on the P6 model. Those 22-inch rims should make for a choppy ride. They didn’t.

Volvo’s frequency-selective dampers in the P6 mechanically adapt to road conditions and new suspension setups front and rear result in an SUV that sits commendably flat in corners. The super stiff body structure – thanks to the new Tesla-inspired megacasting battery-in-frame setup – also helps.

Despite that, the suspension absorbed real-world bumps with reasonable compliance.

There were some speed bumps and potholes found on the otherwise billiard-smooth Spanish test roads, and the EX60 handled them better than most rivals would on 20-inch rubber. First impression? The chassis engineers have done a fine job.

Double-glazed windows and active noise cancellation through the audio system combine to produce an impressively quiet cabin. Combined with the smooth delivery of the electric powertrain, long-distance travel in the EX60 promises to be a serene experience.

The interior as a whole is very well thought out.

Minimalistic, considered, Swedish to its core. It doesn’t dazzle with spinning screens or lighting theatrics. It just works. The 15-inch landscape OLED is crisp and logically laid out. The always-on temperature control bar at the bottom of the screen stays put.

Clever details are everywhere: the relocated central glove box that improves front passenger legroom while giving the driver easier access to more storage, the sliding cupholders. It all works well.

And the Bowers & Wilkins audio system is extraordinary: 28 speakers, Dolby Atmos and headrest speakers in all four main seats – a first for any Volvo. For the audiophiles, this alone could justify a significant portion of the asking price. And the audio is truly astounding.

Throw in large, contoured and comfortable seats front and rear with loads of room for four adult passengers, not to mention recycled wool and open-pore wood trims if you want, and the Ikea crowd will be frothing.

And, unlike many modern Volvos manufactured in China, this model is built in Sweden.

I also liked the pragmatic underfloor storage in the large boot, complete with a large bucket for wet wetsuits or dirty goods and easily removed and cleaned. It also features dedicated, clever slots to store the cargo cover and roof rails out of sight.

The biggest hurdle for many buyers will be the 2027 Volvo EX60’s price of admission.

Starting at roughly $90,000 once on-road costs are added, it is significantly more expensive than its cousin, the Zeekr 7X, which offers similar tech and performance from around $60,000. But that vehicle doesn’t feel as resolved and luxurious as the Volvo.

That said, no massaging seats is a bit rich at this price... hopefully the P12 will get ‘em.

The over-reliance on screens takes a bit of getting used to. The cabin completely lacks physical buttons on the centre console, except for volume control (mercy be) and skip music tracks.

Adjusting basic functions like the air vents, climate control, and side mirrors requires navigating menus on the touchscreen.

There’s also no head-up display (HUD) which is disappointing. Volvo reckons the digital instrument cluster is mounted high enough to compensate, though I still had to drop my eyes from the road to check speeds – massive HUD with augmented reality would’ve been a game changer here.

The panoramic glass roof uses digi-chromatic technology to turn opaque to block out the sun, but lacks a physical rolling sunblind, leaving concerns that the cabin will get hot under the sun, especially in harsh Aussie conditions.

The EX60 is also strictly a five-seat vehicle, as Volvo chose to prioritise maximum boot space over extra seating rows and while the SUV’s ride and handling was exceptionally good, we’re keen to test the car on rougher Aussie roads before we give it the stamp of approval. Spanish roads are just too smooth!

Although the Cross Country version can lift its suspension up to 234mm, trying to clear rocks on the standard models will be tricky as sits much lower to the road than most SUVs. In fact, it almost feels more like a wagon than an SUV... that may be a pro, not a con for some buyers.

If you’re in the market for a premium electric mid-size SUV and have been waiting for something that feels resolved and properly finished – not just technically capable but emotionally appealing – the EX60 deserves to be at the top of your consideration list.

It’s not the cheapest option and the biggest hurdle it will face comes from within the family. The Zeekr 7X offers exceptional value at a significantly lower price. Other rivals deserve attention too; the Tesla Model Y remains the volume benchmark.

But the EX60 occupies a different space from both of them. It’s quieter, more considered. The exterior design is more subtle but in motion it genuinely feels like it’s levelled up the premium EV SUV space and is way more satisfying to drive than it has any right to be.

The safety technology is class-leading. The SPA3 platform sets a new benchmark in the segment for engineering sophistication. And it’s a delight to drive in almost all scenarios, fast and slow.

With cheaper variants expected along with the Cross Country off-road model in the second half of 2027, the EX60 family could grow even more compelling. The flagship P12 AWD with 810km of claimed range and 500kW on tap is also coming early 2027.

So should you buy a Volvo EX60? The new SUV is a real surprise package on every front and if first impressions are anything to go by, yes, you should. But only if you can stretch to the asking price when it gets here.

2027 Volvo EX60 P6 at a glance:
Price: $86,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Late 2026 (Nov–Dec)
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor, rear-wheel drive
Output: 275kW/480Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 83kWh lithium-ion (80kWh usable) NMC
Range: 611km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 14.9–18.0kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Untested

2027 Volvo EX60 P10 AWD at a glance:
Price: $101,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Late 2026 (Nov–Dec)
Powertrain: Dual permanent magnet electric motors (front and rear), all-wheel drive
Output: 375kW/710Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 95kWh lithium-ion (92kWh usable), NMC
Range: 660km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 16.2–19.2kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Untested

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